I’ve often wondered, where would we be by now if women hadn’t been oppressed for so long? Unfortunately, we can only dream of the possibilities. But the potential can be seen at the Pioneers exhibition held at the Museum of Luxembourg in Paris.
With a broad array of paintings, sculptures, photographs, films, textiles, and literary works, Pioneers highlights the role women played in 19th century art movements that can still be felt today.
From Tamara de Lempicka to Chana Orloff, these pioneering women were the first to finally gain entry to great art schools that had previously been reserved for men only.
A new age of sexuality and personality was bursting at the seams. Newly empowered women showed the world that they too can dress how they want, be how they want, and marry who they want, or indeed, not marry at all. No longer did they have to be oppressed by the whims of men.
Suddenly, their life and their body were theirs to own. And this was often portrayed in the arts of the time. This exhibition transcends genres and disciplines to show how female artists from all circles, came together to represent women without the despotic glare of the male gaze.
To achieve this, the Museum of Luxembourg worked with 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß to source the wide range of materials needed to showcase this movement. 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß has a long history of supplying hard-to-find archival content that illuminates history with new perspectives. As a result, 17³Ô¹ÏÔÚÏß has been an essential resource for many museums around the world. This is a collection of some of the images used in the exhibition.
For images of great, pioneering women in history, check out our Women’s History Month collection.
The exhibition is still ongoing until 10 July 2022. So if you’re in the area, before it ends.
Pioneers
Musée du Luxembourg
19 rue de Vaugirard
75006 Paris
2 March 2022 – 10 July 2022